The possibilities of the Chicago Bears leaving Illinois after about a century have created debates, and one former franchise favorite is not hiding his feelings. The idea of the Bears playing outside their historic home state has drawn criticism from fans and players both.

Hall of Fame linebacker Brian Urlacher, the Bears star, recently appeared on the 'NFL on ESPN' podcast and shared his thoughts.

"I do not like the Bears play anywhere but Soldier Field," spoke Urlacher on the podcast. "I don't want because even if they went to Arlington Heights, which is in Illinois, they're going to be in a dome. And I think if they go to Indiana, they'll be in a dome... I don't like the idea of them playing in a dome anywhere."

The Chicago Bears announced that their board of directors had voted to advance the stadium development project in Hammond, Indiana, on June 5, 2026.

: Like every fan, Urlacher believes the Bears' identity is closely tied to outdoor football. Chicago's harsh winter conditions have long been considered part of the franchise's DNA, creating a home-field benefit that many fans feel would disappear inside a dome.

"I understand financially it makes a ton of sense for them to go to Indiana," said Urlacher. "The Bears don't own their stadium and the state of Illinois for some reason is not giving them as good a deal as maybe they should...So I get it, man. I don't like it. But business-wise it makes a ton of sense for them to go to Indiana."

Indiana is just 25 extra minutes from downtown. The Illinois Senate proposed a bill that helped the Bears avoid property taxes on a new stadium in Illinois, but the Bears finalized stadium sites in Hammond, Indiana.

Chicago Bears Make Move to Indiana

The Chicago Bears moved closer to a new home on June 5 after the franchise's board of directors voted to advance its stadium development project in Hammond, Indiana.

While the exact site is yet to be chosen, the team left Illinois for the first time in its 106-year history.

"We believe a world-class stadium project in Hammond will transform the region, connecting Northwest Indiana to the South Side of Chicago through the Loop and across neighborhoods and suburbs stretching north of the city," Bears chairman George H. McCaskey and president Kevin Warren said.

After the Illinois lawmakers failed to advance legislation that could have helped the Bears secure key financial investment for a new stadium project in Arlington Heights or Chicago, the Bears made a move.

The chairman, George McCaskey, and president, Kevin Warren, stated that a stadium in Hammond could be a transformative project for the region that connects Northwest Indiana with Chicago.

Rather than viewing the move as a departure from Chicago, the franchise is presenting it as an expansion of the Bears' regional footprint and economic influence.

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Written by

Hetal Moleshri

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote